Annabeth Chase was quite content with her social labels. Often, she was called: workaholic, perfectionist, control freak, and occasionally, recluse. It wasn't that she intentionally shunned the company of people, she was just prone to get caught up in the most recent mathematical conundrums that often presented themselves at her job.
Annabeth was an architect at her mother's company, Athena Designs LLC. In fact, she was a manager of the architects that focused on metropolitan design. Surprisingly, she was the most qualified for the job, even at her young age of twenty four. She had graduated high school at sixteen and finished her architecture degree at twenty three, graduating top of her class at Yale.
She had quite a few close friends that she had met through various college activities. But, all of Annabeth's schooling hadn't made much time for a love life. Of course there was the occasional boyfriend, but at the end of the day, her career had always come first.
Currently, she was sitting in the back of a town car with her mother, talking to one of her friends, and secretary, Silena, on her cell, "No! I will not go out on another blind date. I'm not looking for a relationship."
"I know! I just want you to be happy!"
"Silena, I don't need a man to be happy! How about we compromise, I will get a pet fish."
"With the amount of time you spend at work, it will be neglected and die!"
Annabeth rolled her eyes at the car window, "Not if I keep it at the office."
Silena made an amused snort, "You do spend more time there than anywhere else."
They laughed together and then the town car rolled to a stop, "I have to go. I will call you later."
After she had hung up she glanced at her mother, Athena. To say that their relationship was strained was being generous. Until five years ago, Annabeth had heard from her mother once or twice a year at most, but as soon as she started majoring in architecture her mother glided smoothly into her life, pretending to have been there all along. They were awkward together but tonight her mother had asked for Annabeth to join her for dinner, which was definitely progress.
As they exited the car, she noticed the beautifully lit sign of the expensive restaurant they were going to eat at. Annabeth headed straight for the door but was stopped by her mother's strong hand on her upper arm. She purposefully pulled her to a nearby bench and demanded, "We need to talk."
Percy Jackson was a twenty five year old CEO of his father's deep sea oil company and one of the youngest people ever to be listed in the Forbes 400. As to be expected from such a young billionaire, he was considered a bit of a playboy. Never having a girlfriend for longer than a week.
Unfortunately, he really hated his constantly changing relationship status but, it wasn't intentional. He was a nice guy who only dated around so much because his work life was all consuming. Also, he had a knack for forgetting things that he wasn't particularly excited for, like dates with clingy girls or dinner with his father. Luckily, his mind hadn't let slip the appointment at a fancy downtown restaurant tonight.
As he entered the restaurant he looked past the maƮtre d' to a four person table at which his father sat alone. As he sat down on the opposite side of the table, across from his father he was scolded, "Too afraid to sit next to your old man?"
"No I just figured that we could use the space that we have," he replied confused.
"Humor me." Percy was confused but complied with his father's wishes.
They sat quietly for a few moments. The silence was continually getting worse and Percy felt his father squirm until he relented, "So Perce, how is your mother?"
Percy was glad that their divorce wasn't one of those restraining order types and that they remained civil, "She is good. Mom and Paul just finished unpacking their new apartment."
"That's great," He replied absentmindedly, wringing his hands in his lap.
Percy knew that something was wrong. His father was the type to crack jokes if he was being held hostage, so if he was nervous Percy knew that there wasn't just a problem, but it was major.
Percy opened his mouth to ask about his father's strange behavior when he was cut off, "I have something to tell you and you won't be happy about it."
If there was a worse way to start a conversation, Percy didn't know it. He made a tight "go on" motion, steeling his nerves for the worst.
"You're engaged."
